Skinning-tool.



S. M. MOEN.

SKINNING TOOL.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 20. 1910.

1,006,970. Patented Oct. 24, 1911.

" Nl ENTOR BYM' Altomeyy coLUMBiA PLANGOMPH c0.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

WITNESSES igmw III E TAT ATENT FFICE.

SKINNING-TOOL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, 1911.

Application filed. December 20, 1910; Serial No. 598,400.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, SELMER M. MonN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clitherall, in the county of Ottertail and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Skinning- Tools, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide an automatic skinning tool, by the use of which considerable labor in removing the skin from dead animals will be saved.

In general, the tool consists of a circular disk mounted for rotation by automatic means on a stub-shaft carried by a combined handle and shield, there being also provided an adjustable gage which will render the tool especially adaptable for its purpose.

The tool is so constructed that it can be readily taken apart, which is essential for sanitary reasons, and it is made of as few parts as found practical to facilitate cleaning and minimize cost of manufacture.

For a full comprehension of the advantages and construction of this invention, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side viewof the invention, the handle being shown in section, to illustrate the mounting of the driving element; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the tool, partly broken away, and illustrating the opposite side to that in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 1; 5 is a perspective view of the shield; Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1, a modified form of gage being illustrated; and Fig. 7 is an end view of the tool with the modified form of gage illus trated in place.

Referring to the various views on the drawing, at 1 is indicated a disk sharpened at its circumference and mounted for rotation on a stub-shaft 2, one end of which is secured to a hollow semicircular shield 3 and the other end supported by the extremity of a handle 4. The shield, as illustrated, consists of sides sufliciently spaced apart to admit the cutting disk therebetween, the latter being partially housed thereby. On one side of the shield is extended laterally a hollow boss or cap 5 adapted to receive the extremity 4 of the handle which is secured firmly in place by fastenings indicated at 4 The opposite side of the shield is provided with a radially extending arm 5, which arm has an aperture 5 to receive a clamping screw 6, and further, this side of the shield has a central opening through which the shaft or bolt 2 passes. Means for rotating the disk 1 are provided, comprising a bevel gear 7 carried centrally on the disk 1, and a similar gear 8 carried by the shaft 9, which shaft is mounted for rotation in bearings in the handle 4. The shaft 9 may be rotated from any suitable source of power. A gage 10 is used in connection with this tool and held adjustably in place by a clamping screw 11, clamping the slotted shank 12 of the gage between spaced shoulders 13 in the handle 4. The gage 10 is forked so as to straddle the out ting disk, and the spaced portions or' gage fingers 10 and 10 of the gage are substantially parallel but curved to conform to the curvature of the edge of the disk 1. The spaced portions of the gage afford an advantageous feature because when the tool is used, its weight will be carried by the rounded outer side of the member 10' of the gage, and the separated skin will be carried away from the side of the rotating disk by the part 10". Thus it will be seen that one purpose of the gage is to eliminate all unnecessary friction on the disk at its opposite sides. Another purpose of the gage is to allow for adjustment of the toolto accommodate the same for use to best advantage when skinning animals whose flesh may be of different toughness and having in view other circumstances which will affect the width of the projecting cutting edge of the disk, as well as the angle which the disk should have in order to give the best results. Near the shank of the gage is provided a finger place 14.

In Figs. 6 and 7 is illustrated a modified form of gage 10 which will be of particular advantage when an animal with comparatively hard flesh and thick hide is to be skinned. In order to hold this gage in place, the handle 4 may be provided with a seat 4 on which the shank 12" of the gage 10 is clamped by means of a screw 11, and the-other end of the gage is secured in place by means of a slotted shank 12 and a clamping screw 12 screwed into the threaded opening 5 of the cap 5. There is also illustrated a finger piece 15 and which will serve as a guard to prevent the hand from slipping into contact with the cutting element.

It will further be observed that the rear- Wardly extending arm 5 aids in further securing the gage to the handle. Should the thumb screw 11 become at all loose, the tendency of the gage fingers would be to bear againstthe disk, were it not for the above mentioned arm 5 which prevents any looseness in the mounting of said gage on the handle.

Having thus described the invent-ion, what is claimed as new is handle being provided with a transverse recess, a. gage adjustably mounted in said recess, sald gage comprisin a slotted shank seated in said recess and a ifurcated portion adapted to receive said disk, and a shield for said disk, said shield having a rearwardly extending arm passing over said recess and shank whereby the latter is secured to said handle, for the purposes herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SELMER M. MOEN. WVitnesses:

A. B. IRONA, C. L. EDWARDSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

